TUMPAT: The state Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry foiled an attempt to smuggle subsidised cooking oil to Thailand when it seized 1,360kg of the controlled item, yesterday.
A lorry driver, in his 40s, was detained in the operation at Pengkalan Kubor here.
Kelantan Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry enforcement chief Azanizam Affendi Juri said his team, with the help of the General Operations Force (GOF), went to the area at about 3pm following public tip-offs.
"After stopping the suspected lorry, the officers discovered 1,360kg of cooking oil under sand.
"The cooking oil, worth about RM3,400, is believed to have been meant to be smuggled across the border. The officers later detained the lorry driver," he said in a statement.
He said initial investigations showed that the cooking oil was to be sent to the neighbouring country via the many illegal jetties along the Malaysia-Thailand border.
"Initial investigations also revealed the lorry driver was hired by a certain individual to transport the cooking oil to the border area.
"He was paid about RM100 for a trip to send the cooking oil, which was obtained from a wholesaler in Pasir Mas."
Azanizam said the lorry driver, who is a Malaysian, was being held for further investigation.